Most of us know from experience that having good friends can make our lives richer, but research now shows that our friends may also increase our longevity. The same isn't true for our relatives.People with extensive networks of good friends and confidantes outlived those with the fewest friends by 22 percent. The positive effects of friendships on longevity continued throughout the decade, regardless of other profound life changes such as the death of a spouse or other close family members.
Friends may also help us get through difficult times in our lives, by offering coping mechanisms and having a positive effect on mood and self-esteem.
The crux of the matter is that maintaining a sense of social embeddedness through friends and family is very important for survival, and it seems that non-kin relationships are particularly important. I feel its cause we take our families for granted. We can choose are friends but not our family thats how the saying goes but one should understand that if your in trouble your family will stand by you. Family can be treated as you treat your friends too, making an effort is what that counts.
When we were very small, we realized that having friends was important to us. Some of us even had imaginary friends or our beloved pets became our intimate pals. Sometimes, even our teddies and other stuffed animals snuggled with us at night and listened to our dreams and secrets.I was frenz with He-man and I had hacked off its legs the first day i got it.... the amputee He man is still there in my drawer.. somewhere. The need for friends continued as we grew into our teens and began to find our own identities. Friends were a big part of forming our personalities and supporting who we had become. As adults, it is still important for us to have friends. Our spouses often are our most intimate friends. But friends, outside of family bonds, can be our greatest comfort and allies.
Friends are people who like us in spite of our faults and who listen to us and tell us the truth. Friends support our decisions and tell us when we are just being an idealist. They laugh with us and share our grief. The best part in sharing our grief will be the sympathise they do not empathise. It would not make me wretched if i say out loud that yes sometimes i do need people to pity me. It does not make me a smaller person. They are companions and share our interests. They argue with us and stimulate our minds. They are people we aren't afraid of telling our secret wishes to or what is really on our minds.
You don't have to have many friends. Sometimes, one good, true friend is all you need. At other times, it's good to have a group of friends so you can be a part of the bond among you without having to work so hard at friendship. You all then share a part of the duties of being friends. Sometimes, you're the one at the center of attention. At other times, you can just go along. But all of you are loyal to each other and help each other when you can.
When your in time of stress you want someone to shake you and tell you that everything will be alright.... these are the bare facts; even if it hurts you still accept it and come with me I will show you a good time.Friends offer acceptance and emotional support. They also help occasionally with the practical aspects of day-to-day living, cooking a meal (or taking you out), helping with chores, or giving you a lift when you need one. Friends also are there to offer advice, an ear to listen, or a shoulder to cry on. Friendships help us feel connected and less isolated. My childhood friend Abhishek Roy will always amuse me and share a smoke with me no matter how late he is working. And I unbashedly take it for granted. Similarly another childhood friend Shomik Dutt will drive 40kms just to share a few laughs. Man what will I ever do without these people.
Friends also help us reduce stress. Not only do they listen to us when we need to vent, but they also provide much needed diversion from what is stressing us. Participating in shared interests and activities with friends helps us forget about problems at work or at home. For a brief time, we can lose ourselves in a pleasant activity and perhaps laugh and breathe easier.
This post is dedicated to all my friends who stood by me forever in the time of need and at the time when i thought they are just annoying me.
A special dedication to:-
Abhishek Roy
Shomik Dutt
Gaurav Shukla
Tanvi Jalan
Priya Verma
Ridhi Sharma
Kartik Khattar
Shailesh Pradeep
Thank you for being there.
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